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MSS403026 Current

Application

This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to apply the theory of constraints to a process or system which has a constraint.
This unit applies to operators, team leaders, technicians or others who are required to identify constrained resources within their area of responsibility and determine buffers and schedules to manage the capacity and throughput of the constrained resource.
This unit applies to any organisation that is implementing continuous improvement or more formal competitive systems and practices.
No licensing or certification requirements exist at the time of publication. Relevant legislation, industry standards and codes of practice within Australia must be applied.

What You'll Learn

1.

  • 1.1 Identify desired output from process or system
  • 1.3 Identify capacity-constrained resource
  • 1.4 Confirm optimum throughput for this capacity-constrained resource

2.

  • 2.1 Determine required time buffers for capacity-constrained resource
  • 2.3 Establish required buffers
  • 2.4 Examine capacity-constrained resource to ensure optimum use of capacity

3.

  • 3.1 Determine supply schedule appropriate for capacity-constrained resource
  • 3.3 Compare delivery schedule with externally required delivery rate
  • 3.4 Take action to improve alignment between process or system and buffers and schedules

4.

  • 4.1 Determine throughput of process or system steps
  • 4.2 Identify any additional and/or new capacity-constrained resource
  • 4.3 Apply theory of constraints in continuous improvement cycle

Assessment Requirements

Performance Evidence

There must be evidence the candidate has completed the tasks outlined in the elements and performance criteria of this unit, and demonstrated the ability to:
• identify, and improve capacity of, at least 2 constrained resources.

Knowledge Evidence

There must be evidence the candidate has knowledge of:
• theory of constraints including:
• weakest link (colloquially may be called the drum)
• duration or time taken for work to reach the constraint
• supporting the constraint (colloquially may be called buffer or inventory)
• release timing and/or mechanism of buffer (colloquially may be called rope)
• identifying throughput capacity
• processes, products, internal and external customers for own work area.

Assessment Conditions

Skills must have been demonstrated in the workplace or in a simulated environment that reflects workplace conditions and contingencies. The following conditions must be met for this unit:
• use of suitable facilities, equipment and resources, including:
• access to relevant data
• modelling of industry operating conditions.
Assessors must satisfy the NVR/AQTF mandatory competency requirements for assessors.

Foundation Skills

  • {'skill': 'Foundation Skills', 'description': 'This section describes those language, literacy, numeracy and employment skills that are essential to performance but not explicit in the performance criteria.\n• Oral communication skills to discuss process constraints and improvements with range of stakeholders\n• Numeracy skills to determine throughput capacity, buffers and schedules.\nOther foundation skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit.'}

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Last updated from training.gov.au: 07 April 2026